The 17th Annual Southern Nevada Japanese Speech Contest
2026/4/2
A contestant delivers their speech during the contest
Group Photo
On Saturday, March 7, the 17th Annual Southern Nevada Japanese Speech Contest was held at Sunrise Mountain High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. This contest was co-hosted by the Southern Nevada Japanese Teachers Association (SNJTA) and the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco and supported by the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles and Sunrise Mountain High School.
In her opening remarks, SNJTA President Takako Hasegawa expressed her deep gratitude and great emotion for the chance to resume this annual speech contest after a 6-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Sixteen students from local high schools and universities participated in this year’s contest, demonstrating their achievement of Japanese language studies and their passion to express themselves. The audience included students’ family, friends, and teachers attending in support of the contestants.
Judges were impressed with the contestants’ Japanese language and communication skills.
The Consulate would like to congratulate all of this year’s contestants and commend each of them on their hard work.
In her opening remarks, SNJTA President Takako Hasegawa expressed her deep gratitude and great emotion for the chance to resume this annual speech contest after a 6-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Sixteen students from local high schools and universities participated in this year’s contest, demonstrating their achievement of Japanese language studies and their passion to express themselves. The audience included students’ family, friends, and teachers attending in support of the contestants.
Judges were impressed with the contestants’ Japanese language and communication skills.
The Consulate would like to congratulate all of this year’s contestants and commend each of them on their hard work.
High School Level
High School: Level 1
High School: Level 2
High School: Level 3
High School: Level 4
Heritage Round:
| Jednika Lacanilao (Spring Valley High School) | |
| “Dango over Flowers” |
High School: Level 2
| Genesis Hepler (Silverado High School) | |
| “My Experience in Wrestling” | |
| Addison Levine (Palo Verde High School) | 1st Place |
| “Learning Japanese” | High School Level |
| Isabelle Navalta (Palo Verde High School) | |
| “Japanese Art” | |
| Odin Brazell (Centennial High School) | |
| “The Gift of Japanese” |
High School: Level 3
| Gianna Suarez (Coronado High School) | 2nd Place |
| “My experiences in Japan” | High School Level |
High School: Level 4
| Ari Gazala (Palo Verde High School) | |
| “Japanese Games” |
Heritage Round:
| Tensei Nagai (Clark High School) | Highest Overall Score / Bichard Award |
| “Yojijyukugo” | High School Level |
University Level
Contest Winners Group Photo
University: Level 1
University: Level 2
Explanation of Awards: The Bichard and Tanaka Awards were respectively named in dedication to Fumiko Bichard and Wayne Tanaka. Both were Japanese language teachers in the Clark County School District that served as influential community leaders and educators in Las Vegas.
| Sofia Bigham (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) | |
| “Japan Travel” | |
| Olga Feldman (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) | |
| “My favorite things and trip” |
University: Level 2
| Anthony Belmonte (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) | 1st Place / Tanaka Award |
| “Thatched Roof” | University Level |
| Cloudii Singleton (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) | 1st Place / Tanaka Award |
| “Even though I’m a little depressed, I still want to be cute!” | University Level |
| Isabella Williams (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) | |
| “Rediscovery” | |
| James Phan (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) | |
| “My Pet Rat” | |
| Pearl Sung (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) | |
| “Memories From Las Vegas Gakuen” | |
| Lorelei Brown (College of Southern Nevada) | |
| “My Dream of Going to Japan” |
Explanation of Awards: The Bichard and Tanaka Awards were respectively named in dedication to Fumiko Bichard and Wayne Tanaka. Both were Japanese language teachers in the Clark County School District that served as influential community leaders and educators in Las Vegas.
Judges
(L to R) Remarks from SNJTA President Takako Hasegawa, Honorary Consul of Japan in Las Vegas Kathleen Blakely, and Consul Mayu Hagiwara
Southern Nevada Japanese Teachers Association Group Photo
Consul Mayu Hagiwara
Director of the Japan Information and Cultural Center, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco
Mr. Mitsufumi Okabe
Publisher, Las Vegas Japan Times
Mr. Isao Shimokawaji
Director of Corporate Management Department, Konami Gaming Inc.
Mr. Seiko Miyamori
Chief Executive Officer, AMON, Inc.
Mr. Koichi Iida
Former Administrator, Las Vegas Gakuen
Director of the Japan Information and Cultural Center, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco
Mr. Mitsufumi Okabe
Publisher, Las Vegas Japan Times
Mr. Isao Shimokawaji
Director of Corporate Management Department, Konami Gaming Inc.
Mr. Seiko Miyamori
Chief Executive Officer, AMON, Inc.
Mr. Koichi Iida
Former Administrator, Las Vegas Gakuen
